107.Handling Disappointments. Proverbs 24:16.

We all have to deal with disappointments at some stage in our lives, that’s just a fact of life. So we need to learn how to handle them, and more importantly, teach our children to do the same. Firstly instead of getting into a tizzy about it, talk to God about your disappointment, and get His perspective on the matter, asking God Why? Seldom gets an answer, so just accept what has happened and ask God to point you in the right direction to see and accomplish His Will in the process of it. Even in little things God has a perspective, and He will lead you to see it and understand. Try this with small matters, and as you grow to rely more on God, so will your faith and trust in Him increase. I am going to show you five different kinds of “Disappointments” which we all have to deal with from time to time, and hopefully, you, as a Bible-believing Christian may learn how to handle them.. (1) Disappointment in yourself.- This is the most debilitating kind of disappointment because it can put you into a downward spiral that’s hard to recover from. Reading from (Matthew 26:33) Peter experienced it. He swore loyalty to Christ saying,’Everyone else may abandon you, but not me. I’m yours until death’ Yet he denied Christ three times. Later he remembered Christ’s words (v34) ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times’ Peter, heartbroken by his failure, according to (Luke 22;62) went outside and wept bitterly. Maybe you’re thinking ‘Lord, how could you use someone like me?’ Jesus wasn’t shocked, He was aware of Peter’s flaws when He called him. But he was also aware of His outspoken disciple’s tender heart, so He chose to extend grace, rather than cast him aside. (In Mark 16:7) When Christ gave His post-resurrection orders to; ‘Tell His disciples and Peter’ to meet Him in Galilee. He reaffirmed His choice of this failed disciple; The remainder of Peter’s story is one of victory. So when you sin, or fail and disappoint yourself, (1) Humble yourself and repent, confess your sin, don’t excuse, rationalise or blame circumstances or somebody else. (2) receive God’s forgiveness and grace by faith not feelings. Don’t let Satan convince you that you are beyond God’s reach and grace, you are not. (3) Don’t add insult to injury by letting disappointment mire you in hopelessness and despair. (4) Get the help you need to get back on track, sooner rather than later (2) Disappointment in Leadership. It would be reasonable to assume you could trust Eli Israel’s High Priest. That’s what Samuel’s mother thought when she entrusted her son to him. Confident Eli would mentor him for God’s service. But that High Priest had a serious character flaw. He was a weak parent one who stood by while his sons abused their priestly privileges. Who would have blamed young Samuel for taking a nosedive when the man he looked up to failed so badly? But no! He fielded his disappointment and kept his eyes on God (1Samuel 3:19) tells us ‘Samuel grew and The Lord was with him’ As a result he became one of Israel’s greatest prophets. So, how do you handle disappointments in your leadership? By keeping your eyes on the Lord. We need to be very careful when we observe faults in our leadership. First of all you probably don’t have all the facts or understand all the circumstances and secondly, keep in mind Satan is intent on breaking down what God is building up and thirdly don’t use a hammer to crack an egg, Be Gentle in confrontation. (3) Disappointment in your family: Look at Joseph. When God gave him a vision of future success, his brothers responded with resentment and bitterness; selling him into slavery, far from friends and home. He languished in prison for years for a crime he didn’t commit, what an invitation to rehash the wrongs done to you while plotting your revenge!. But if Joseph had done that, he would have died an unknown convict in a foreign prison. Instead, he allowed God to vindicate him. And God will do that for you too.(Isaiah 54:17)) says ‘No weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up against you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord, Their vindication will come from me, I The Lord have spoken.” (4) Disappointment With whom you Work:- When the people you count on fail you, it’s painful imagine Moses’ disappointment, he leaves his brother Aaron in charge while he spends forty days up mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. When he returns, what does he find? Israel worshipping a golden calf – Made by his brother Aaron. When Moses needs him most, Aaron fails him miserably. But true leadership shines in disappointment Moses confronts Aaron, takes the mess to God and prays for the forgiveness of Israel. God responds, then reminds Moses of his assignment. (Exodus 32-34) “Go lead the People...my angel will go before you” Disappointment doesn’t cancel your assignment – or God’s presence.. So do what God has told you to do. (5) Disappointment in those you’ve poured your life into:-Let’s check in again with Moses, ‘Founding pastor of the church in the wilderness.’ His congregations is made up of former slaves who have been delivered and blessed, and who are en route to the Promised Land. But without a shred of loyalty or gratitude for the man who has laid everything on the line to make it possible. Fresh out of Egypt, they turn on Moses accusing, blaming and berating him (see Exodus 14) Was Moses disappointed and hurt? Yes, but each time he wanted to give up, he discussed it with God, prayed for his complaining flock, got fresh orders from Headquarters and returned to work. Now, That’s what God-called men and women to do when they are disappointed and feel like giving up and that’s what you and I must do too. Thank you for reading these thoughts on handling disappointments, life would be much better without them, but unfortunately they are ’par for the course’ and we all don’t think alike; what a boring world it would be if we did!. I’m sure our spiritual training is enhanced when and how we respond to disappointment; Our God has broad shoulders, He has no problem with us crying on them as we receive the comfort His Holy Spirit so freely brings with Him as He points us in to Jesus. Worth a thought or two. God Bless. Phaline.